This article is about the celebration of love and caring: Christmas. You will find a short explanation why we actually celebrate it and all the vocabulary that you need to talk about Christmas.
Why do we celebrate Christmas?
Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas Day is the 25. December but in Germany the celebrations start already the day before: In the evening of the 24. December the Christmas Eve or „Heiliger Abend“. In the German speaking countries the 26. December is a holiday as well and children get their presents on Christmas Eve not Christmas Day.
The families are sitting together the 24. and most of the 25. as well. Some of them, for example my one, even on the 26. December. What do we do? We basically eat the whole day! That means 3 consecutive days of the so called „Weihnachtsessen“. After those 3 days you could stop eating until New Year’s Eve! And you wouldn´t feel hungry! :D
Different from America: In Germany Santa Claus (Weihnachtsmann) doesn´t have to fit through a dirty chimney! He is invited to the celebrations and hands out the gifts in person.
Questions and Answers:
- Was machst du zu Weihnachten? – Zu Weihnachten treffe ich mich mit meiner Familie.
What do you do for Christmas? – I will meet my family for Christmas.
- Hast du schon alle Geschenke? – Nein, ich muss noch eins für meinen Mann kaufen.
Do you have all the presents? – No, I still have to buy one for my husband.
- Was wünscht du dir zu Weihnachten? – Ich habe mir von meinem Mann ein neues Handy gewünscht.
What do you wish for Chrismas? – I told my husband that I want to have a new mobile phone.
- Was gibt es bei dir am Weihnachtsabend zu essen? – Bei uns gibt es meistens Bratwurst, Wiener und Kartoffelsalat.
What do you cook for Christmas Dinner? – Most often we have Bratwurst, sausages and potato salad.
- Was hat dir der Weihnachtsmann gebracht? – Einen Fußball und ein neues Fahrrad!
What did Santa get you? – A football and a new bike.
Vocabulary Tradition:
- 24.12. = Heiligabend – Christmas Eve
- 25.12. = Christtag – For none religious families: 1. Weihnachtsfeiertag = Christmas Day
- 26.12. = Stephanstag – For none religious families: 2. Weihnachtsfeiertag = Boxing Day
- Weihnachten – Christmas
- das Weinachtslied (er) – Christmas song
- der Weihnachtsmann (ä,er) – Santa Clause
- der Weihnachtsmarkt (ä,e) – Christmas market
- der Tannenbaum, auch Weihnachtsbaum – Christmas tree
- der Weihnachtskranz (ä,e) – Christmas wreath
- der Advent = 4 weeks before Christmas Day
- 1. Advent = 4. last Sunday before Christmas (first candle get lid on the christmas wreath)
- 2. Advent = 3. last Sunday before Christmas (second candle get lid on the christmas wreath)
- 3. Advent = 2. last Sunday before Christmas (third candle get lid on the christmas wreath)
- 4. Advent = Last Sunday before Christmas (fourth candle get lid on the christmas wreath)
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Vokabulary Christmas Foof & Drinks:
- der Weihnachtsbraten (-) – Christmas roast
- das Plätzchen (-) – Christmas cookies
- der Lebkuchen (-) as well: Pfefferkuchen, Honigkuchen – gingerbread
- das Knusperhaus (ä,er) – house made of gingerbread
- der Pfefferkuchenmann (ä,er) – gingerbread in the shape of a person or Santa Clause
- die Zuckerstange (n) – candy cane
- der Eierlikör (e) – advocaat / egg liqueur
- der Glühwein (e) – hot wine punch
- das Weihnachtsessen (-) – Christmas Dinner
Verbs that you have to use talking about Christmas:
- sich umarmen – to hug
- feiern – to party
- schmücken – to decorate
- innehalten – to pause for a moment
- schenken – to give a present
Further Vocabulary
- der Wunschzettel (-) – wish list
- die Krippe (n) = crib / crèche
- das Geschenk (e) = the gift
- der Stern (e) = the star
- die Überraschung (en) = the suprise
- die Schneeflocke (n) = the snow flake
- der Kamin (e) = indoor fireplace
- das Rentier (e) = the reindeer
- die Lichterkette (n) = fairy light
- die Weihnachtskugel (n) = bauble
Missing something? Write comment! I would like to know as well how you and your family celebrate Christmas! How do you celebrate it in your country? Write a comment!
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